Job site electrical cords

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Bill Moran

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Is there an OSHA rule or regulation that if a sub uses a bad electrical cord in a temp service that indicates the electrician is responsable for that cord. I.E. bad ground or no ground, wireing showing through, wire spliced. And if so does the electricin have the right or authority to cut the electric cord.
 
This is a good question. I can't speak for the OSHA rule, but on large jobs the "safety officer" will be the one to police the cords and cut them up if necessary.

Shooting from the hip, I don't think it's an electricians responsibility for other sub's cords or equipment. Why should it be?
 
This rings a bell. I think it has been discussed here before. I seem to recall some debate over the role of the electrician with regard to extension cords used by other trades. I do not recall the outcome, but I think it was an NEC rule, not an OSHA rule, that came into the debate.

Do you think that 590.6(B)(2) has your answer?
 
I agree - I was told of an OSHA regulation that stated the Electricians are responsable for electrical cords if they plug in to any of the temp power. I have searched OSHA regulations and was not able to find a thing on who is responsable, not even a safety officer. I have a Job were the GC indicated the electricians own it.
 
I usta to work at a hospital complex (looked like a college campus) as an electrician. We had the responsibility and the authority to cut any extention cord of applience cable. even if it was on the hospital side of things. I know this is not part of the OP just conversing.
 
Years ago I worked for an EC that had installed a temp pole for the construction of a gas station. Two weeks later, the plumbing crew showed up to do some underground. They had a bad cord. OSHA fined our company, not the plumbers.:mad:
 
Who enforces this. Looks like the EC responsibility.

590.6(B)(2) Assured Equipment Grounding Conductor Program. A written assured equipment grounding conductor program continuously enforced at the site by one or more designated persons to ensure that equipment grounding conductors for all cord sets, receptacles that are not a part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure, and equipment connected by cord and plug are installed and maintained in accordance with the applicable requirements of 250.114, 250.138, 406.3(C), and 590.4(D).
(a) The following tests shall be performed on all cord sets, receptacles that are not part of the permanent wiring of the building or structure, and cord-and-plug-connected equipment required to be connected to an equipment grounding conductor:
(1) All equipment grounding conductors shall be tested for continuity and shall be electrically continuous.
(2) Each receptacle and attachment plug shall be tested for correct attachment of the equipment grounding conductor. The equipment grounding conductor shall be connected to its proper terminal.
(3) All required tests shall be performed as follows:
a. Before first use on site
b. When there is evidence of damage
c. Before equipment is returned to service following any repairs
d. At intervals not exceeding 3 months
(b) The tests required in item (2)(a) shall be recorded and made available to the authority having jurisdiction.
Click to expand...
 
If I remember correctly, if the job site did not have ground fault protection, it was the responsibility of the electricians to inspect every cord brought on site with a daily re-inspection, I think a written report of some sort was required also, but this was quite a few years back, I don't know if it still applies.
 
OSHA's authority is to cite the employer of the exposed employees for any violations. So, if a plumbing contractor brings a bad cord, whether an extension cord or a cord on a tool, onto the jobsite, the plumbing co. would get cited. However, if anybody else's employee uses that tool or plugs into that extension cord, they could be cited as well.

The violation could also work its way up the food chain. If the GC has retained authority for all job site safety, they could be on the hook as well.
 
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